Faerie Wars - Softcover

Brennan, Herbie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0765356740 ISBN 13: 9780765356741

Publisher: Tor Books, 2007

Synopsis

Henry Atherton thinks his life is spinning out of control. But nothing prepares him for the invisible portal in old man Fogarty's backyard . . . and the unexpected stranger who comes through it.
Pyrgus Malvae, crown prince of the Faerie realm, is on the run. Too many people want the rebellious young heir dead: a scheming sorcerer, a powerful demon, the malignant leader of the Faeries of the Night, and maybe even a hidden traitor within his father's court.
Henry and Pyrgus come from very different worlds, but it may be up to Henry to save all of Faerie from being conquered by the Nightside, even if it means crossing over to a magical realm where nothing is ever what it seems . . . and no one can be trusted.

About this title

Review

Faerie Wars, by Herbie Brennan follows in the footsteps of Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl with its tale of fairy-folk and derring-do. But whereas Colfer's little people have a thoroughly modern edge throughout, Brennan comes at them from a slightly different angle in a highly original novel that weaves modern science with a good, old-fashioned fantasy story.

Henry, an ordinary boy, is thrown into turmoil when his mother apparently has an affair with his father's secretary and it looks as if his hitherto safe, if a little dull, world is about to fall to pieces. To avoid the arguments and the tense silences he heads for the haven of Mr Fogarty's house to spend time with the old man whose passion lies in scientific experiments and the accompanying paraphernalia.

Meanwhile, on an altogether different plane, Pyrgus Malvae, son of an emperor, has fallen out with his father and sets about making mischief. What he doesn't realise is that there are greater forces at work than his teenage tantrums, and not only his life, but that of his family's, is under serious threat. To save his life he transports, accidentally ending up in Mr Fogarty's back garden (where he appears as a tiny fairy--bizarre but true!). Before long, Pyrgus Malvae, Henry and Mr Fogarty are trapped in battle between distant worlds and dark forces, the result of which will change all their lives forever.

The aforementioned Eoin Colfer reckons that Herbie Brennan is a master of mythology, science and fantasy. Indeed he is, and despite a few hiccups in the handling of Henry's situation which seem somehow ill at ease with the rest of the book, he pulls off his first major work of fiction with admirable poise in a pleasingly challenging fantasy for older readers. (Includes some strong language and subject matter). Recommend for ages 11 and over. --Susan Harrison

Review

"A master of the hairpin turn, leading readers in one direction and suddenly reversing their expectations . . . Brennan excels at maintaining suspense." --The New York Times on Faerie Wars

"Brennan adeptly uses the fish-out-of-water element to make political and social commentary." --Publishers Weekly on Faerie Wars

"There is enough solid adventure in the Faerie realms to keep readers on the edge of their seats." --Booklist on Faerie Wars

"A clever, sly fantasy with immediate intrigue and plenty of science.... Twists and turns provide real surprises along the way; touches of gore are occasional but vivid....the perfect choice for Harry Potter fans who don't know what to read next." --Kirkus Reviews on Faerie Wars

"Faerie Wars is an astounding blend of fantasy, mythology and science. Herbie Brennan is a master of all three. If Herbie Brennan doesn't write a sequel, I may have to get a petition going." --Eoin Colfer, best-selling author of Artemis Fowl on Faerie Wars

About this edition

• Publisher: Tor Books
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0765356740
• ISBN 13: 9780765356741
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384